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Monday, December 29, 2014

What I will remember about 2014

I know I'm not the first one to say this, but this year seems to have flown by at warp speed.

We did a lot of DIY projects in the house despite having some major setbacks.

I made slipcovers for the dining room, lots of pillows and got out all the brass accessories I could find.

I was also loving hot pink last spring.

We started a mini reno in the master bedroom suite, which included taking out an unused bathtub and replacing it with a closet -- complete with restored doors from the old house.

We were not able to replace the floors or countertop, but had to make do with what we have. I would have loved white quartz counters and a marble-tiled floor and shower, but that is just a dream:-)

I ended up changing out all the hollow doors in the house to these solid oak doors from the old house, including vintage rim lock sets and glass door knobs in most of them.

The bedroom got a fresh vintage look with the addition of two new closets, and I added a DIY mantle on one of the old doors, which was featured on Country Living Magazine's website.

The small room my girls share, which was unbelievably horrible, finally got a beautiful French makeover on a seriously low budget. As long as I had promised and dreamed of adding on another bedroom so they could have separate rooms and sleepovers with friends, I came to the realization it was time to give up that dream and did what I could with what I had.

I finally papered the wall above the organ with sheet music and wondered why I didn't do it sooner.

Then, after all the work I did making the living room walls look like aged plaster last year, I ended up painting over all of it with a light shade of gray. Again, I wondered why I didn't do that sooner.

There were lots more little changes inside and out this past year, and changes that quite honestly won't matter in the long run. This year will actually be remembered for the horrific day when my husband, a world-class guitarist, almost lost his hand on the miter saw. Hearing him calling for me to take him to the hospital is something I will never forget. Seeing his wrist with a gaping hole is forever ingrained in my memory. But, despite the horror, I will remember the grace and healing of God. Even as he struggled through months of therapy to feel and use his fingers, and as late as December still with numbness, he has recovered remarkably well and has been able to play, but not without a lot of hard work.

When he was injured, we had just started on the master bedroom and bath project with the intention of getting it all done before photographers came to photograph the house for a magazine. It was literally chaos with lumber piled up, doors off and no way to finish any of it. I was ready to cancel because I knew there was no way I could do it all by myself, and we certainly could not afford to have someone come in and do it for us.

Despite the trauma of such an injury, though, he selflessly pushed through it to help me finish the projects so the shoot would not be cancelled.

It was *not* easy, but he did it because that's the kind of man he is. Selfless.

When I look back at the things we did, I don't just see DIY projects, I see the hard work and perseverance of someone who truly understands what it is to give to others with love and with all he has.

I see the grace and mercy of God and the lessons He wants to teach us through our circumstances.

I see how possible it is to make do with only what you have -- and be happy with that.

But most of all, I see that giving is always better than receiving -- regardless of whether we have a little or a lot.

And that is exactly what I will remember with thankfulness and humility about 2014.

Anita, what a lovely and heartfelt post you have shared with your followers. During this season of giving and receiving you have reminded us that often the simple things and the love of family are the best gifts to receive. Continue healing to your husband and abundant blessings to you and yours during 2015.

Thank you for sharing this past year here. What a testament to the strength & character Luis has been blessed with. I am humbled in reading his story. It makes me want to be stronger in my walk of faith with God. It makes me want to give my all in everything, & stop feeling sorry for myself about things that are so minor in my life. Praying for Luis to continue to receive healing in his hand, praying for a full recovery. Praying that 2015 & the future is filled with endless blessing in all your lives!

What a wonderful man you are married to Anita...you two are so blessed to have each other. My thoughts and prayers go out to him for a complete recovery....your home is so beautiful as a result of your talents and the labors of love of both you and your husband...I look forward to your beautiful posts and projects in 2015. Wishes to your family for a very happy and healthy New Year!

A beautiful year end post, Anita. The changes in your home, the love you put into your daughters' room, all from your heart. Family first. Our homes shelter that love. And I didn't know about your husband's injury. That was a lot of physical pain, and mental pain as well. I hope he reaches 100% so he can do all the things enjoys. He is truly selfless in his love for you!!

Sending many good wishes for the coming year. Perhaps this will be the one in which we meet! That would be lovely!

I have been MIA a lot from blogging these last few years due to deaths, illness, etc., and I dropped by to wish you a Happy New Year. I cannot believe what happened! I literally shuddered when I heard accident and miter saw, and then to know your husband injured himself in that manner! I cannot imagine the terror that ran through you when you heard his cry for help! I am soooo thankful he is on the mend. I will be sure and say a prayer for him. My husband heard me in here on the computer gasping, and I know he will pray, too. I am so sorry this happened, but I am praising God that your sweet guy is on the mend. xoxo

I understand about accidents. A year ago last September, I fell in the street behind our house in St. Augustine and injured my knee and hit my eye on the brick street. I could hear the "Thud" in my dreams afterwards. I had nightmares about it. When I got up, I realized my head was bleeding, but head wounds do that. So I was cognizant of that and just asked the Lord to send angels to help me get up and that if I couldn't I would lie there and call for help. I stood up and praised Him. Then I took a step and could walk and another and another, and I just praised Him with each step saying, "By His stripes, I was healed" until I made it into the house. I took one look in the mirror and thought I had fractured the bone around my eye. So I washed the cut out with Dial Soap and went across the street to my neighbor's for ice. He took one look at me and dialed 911. I kept protesting that I wanted Mr. Magpie to come back from work and get me and take me to the ER. I was in shock, but they took me in the ambulance to the hospital and were so nice. But the ER goofed on my knee. They let me go home without proper instructions or any instructions on calling an orthopedist (which we did on our own initiative), and the kneecap began swelling behind, etc. etc. I got a prayer partner on the phone, and by the time Mr. Magpie got home from the drugstore, the pain was under control and was the whole time I recuperated! I only took baby aspirin, and no one could explain how I was controlling pain! I can, GOD. It was a long time healing to the point that I could use it properly or drive (months), but God was right there every step of the way. I know He will do and has done that for your husband, too. The Lord also saw me through Shingles this fall, and I feel blessed.

I love what you've done with the house and the cuteness in the girl's room, the kitchen, etc. I'm just so sorry that the joy over the shoot your family was marred by the accident. Sending you an extra hug and one for that sweet husband and prayers for his TOTAL recovery in the here and NOW.

I can seriously sympathize with your husband! While not world class, I am a professional organist...who has spent the last 9 months with no use of a right foot!! I play a Johannus 360 organ, and one foot just doesn't do it justice :^(Hopefully, this year will bring the right doctor into my life, who can make a difference. Meanwhile, God knows that my heart works, so He is not holding me responsible for stuttering on the pedals!Blessings to you and your hubby. Musicians are tough folks....fortunately!!J

Oh my goodness, bless your heart!! I know how hard it is when something like that happens! Being a singer, I am always fearing a cold or something that gets in the way of singing too. I sure would love to hear you play:-) I'm a big fan of organ repertoire!! Hope you are all better soon!!